Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd has his work cut out for him this offseason. The team needs an innings-eating starter, solutions at second base, third base, and left field, and a left-handed reliever. The Rockies will require significant trading and creativity to get back on top, if payroll is to remain in the low-$80MM range.

If all four arbitration eligible players are retained, the Rockies would appear to have less than $15MM in payroll flexibility next year. Fortunately, trade candidates abound in Street, Wigginton, Smith, Stewart, and Iannetta. Those five players will earn about $21MM in total next year — a quarter of the team's expected payroll. Iannetta is the least likely to be traded, as Wilin Rosario is probably not ready for full-time duty. O'Dowd projects Stewart and Smith as potential platoon players next year. If a full-time left fielder or third baseman is acquired, Stewart and Smith will become expendable. Street and Smith might be the only veteran Rockies with decent trade value, so O'Dowd may have to part with prospects to improve the team. The Rockies GM has implied that Stewart will be tendered a contract, but that may have been posturing.

The echoes from the July Jimenez trade will be felt this offseason, as O'Dowd prioritizes finding a replacement proven starter. The longtime general manager seems prepared to add a few more major trades to his resume toward making the 2012 club a contender.

Comments

I bet they might, but it’s going to take a lot more than Eric Young Jr. and Charlie Blackmon (which was the rumored deal that the Rangers accepted before backing out at the last minute) this time around.

I’d be willing to bet if the Braves threw in some cash to go with Lowe and Prado that they could get a deal done. Prado can play LF or 3B, so that’d give the Rockies flexibility to make other moves as the season goes on. I’m not really sure what they’d have for the Braves in return, though. Also, I’d hate to sell low on Prado. I think he’s got a rebound year heading his way. That staph infection was pretty nasty from what I’ve read. Plus, we need someone to cover 3B when Chipper needs a day off. Seth Smith would be a nice piece to platoon with Diaz, but obviously I’d like to get a little more than a platoon player.

Not saying I would do that, just saying it’s something they Braves could look at when trying to get rid of Lowe. Anyone know enough about the Rockies’ system to nibble on this nugget?

For Prado and Lowe, I’m thinking Smith and one of the Rockies’ upper-tier pitching prospects (since the Braves LOVE pitching prospects) would be fair. Not Pomeranz, White, or Matzek, but probably anybody else.

If the rockies want a bat, they should dig into free agency. If they want an arm, they should look into a trade. I say sign both Cuddyer and Ramirez to fill our LF and 3B holes. Drop the non-tender candidates and dump Wigginton, all of which would give good salary relief. As far as the arm goes, Gio Gonzalez and James Shields are long reaches, but possible. Gavin Floyd and Wandy Rodriguez are more of the realistic options, and Seth Smith could be the centerpiece in either trade. The rest of the options they listed for pitching is garbage (and what do they have in common, they all play for losing teams). Definitely not what I would deal prospects for.

The Rockies won’t be able to sign two FA’s like Cuddy and ARam. Apparently they have no interest in ARam anyway, and if we miss out on Cuddyer, well then get used to Ryan Spilborghs’ .220 BA and below average D.

Not going to go after Aramis, David Wright is what O’Dowd had his heart set on.
1- Fowler
2- Ellis or Hill
3- Helton and Giambino
4- Tulo or Cargo
5- Tulo or Cargo
6- David Wright
7- Charlie Blackmon or Grady Sizemore (depends on the Monforts and the Budget)
8- Iannetta or Rosario (if Iannetta is traded I can see the switch hitting Jose Morales making the team again since that guy is tougher than a waffle house steak)
with a SRLRLRL and RorS batting 8th you will cause pitching matchup issues all season long.

pitching roation also depends on the pockets of the monforts and the set on O’dowd

1 Vasquez or Nolasco
2 Kevin Millwood
3 Drew Pomeranz
4 Chris Young or Juan Nicasio (again depends on the budget)
5 Nicasio, White, or Hammel (Hammel is a potentially trade bait I could see the Rockies opening up for another left hander near the top of the rotation (making gambles on guys like Kazmir is not something O’Dowd is known for) When DLR comes back Drew Pomeranz will probably be on a short leash on the ammount of innings he pitches and may be in for long relief mid to late season.

David Wright fits the Rockies perfectly, but he will cost a lot, and perhaps more than the Rockies would be willing to offer. Maybe Arenado, Wheeler, and Friedrich get him. But I wouldn’t mind the Mets throwing in Pelfrey or someone if it means we need to add more prospects.